Vehicle Seat Motor Current Monitoring for Jam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seat control systems face challenges in efficiently detecting seat jamming or short-circuits during folding or unfolding, and in adjusting the speeds of these operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a motor, current sensor, and controller to determine seat jamming or short-circuits by sensing output current, and adjusts the rotating speed of the motor using pulse width modulation (PWM) duty ratios for different operations, allowing for efficient folding, unfolding, and reclining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor rotates the seatback at high speed for efficient folding and unfolding, then productivity is improved, but the risk of seat jamming and short-circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of seat jamming and short-circuit conditions before completing the folding/unfolding operation. By monitoring current magnitude during motor rotation and detecting abnormal conditions in advance, the system can prevent damage before it occurs, allowing high-speed operation while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the output current of the motor during seatback rotation and provides feedback to the controller. When the current magnitude exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller immediately stops the motor, creating a feedback loop that prevents jamming and short-circuit while enabling efficient high-speed operation
2Loss of time
If the motor rotates the seatback at high speed, then the folding and unfolding process is faster, but seat jamming or short-circuit may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects abnormal current conditions during motor rotation and stops the operation before actual jamming or short-circuit occurs. This preliminary detection and prevention mechanism reduces the time penalty for safety checks while preventing harmful events
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the motor to rotate at high speed through the critical zone where jamming or short-circuit might occur, then performs rapid current detection and stops immediately if abnormalities are detected. This approach minimizes the time spent in the danger zone while maintaining safety
3Measurement precision
If a predetermined magnitude of load is generated opposite to motor rotation, then seat jamming can be detected, but the detection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The motor's own output current serves as the detection signal for seat jamming. The controller simply monitors whether the current magnitude exceeds a predetermined threshold during rotation, using the motor's operational parameters themselves for detection rather than requiring separate sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The current sensor and controller serve multiple functions: they control motor rotation speed and direction, and simultaneously detect seat jamming and short-circuit conditions by monitoring current magnitude. This multi-functionality prevents detection system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient detection of seat jamming or short-circuits and adjusts the speed of seat operations, preventing damage and ensuring safe and smooth folding, unfolding, and reclining processes.
Implementation Method 1
a current sensor configured to sense an output current of the motor
Implementation Method 2
adjusts the rotating speed of the motor using pulse width modulation (PWM) duty ratios for different operations
Implementation Method 3
a motor configured to rotate forward or backward to fold or unfold a seatback of a seat
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a method controlling the same are provided to detect a seat jamming or a short-circuit of a seat control system. The vehicle includes a motor that rotates forward or backward to fold a seatback of a seat toward a seat cushion or unfold the seatback from the seat cushion. A current sensor sense an output current of the motor and a controller determine a seat jamming or a short-circuit of an output of the motor based on a magnitude of the output current sensed for a predetermined period of time during forward or backward rotation of the motor.